Chinese dynasties/B>

The Chinese history is divided into the dynasties of the different ruling families and within these, into the reigns of individual emperors. The most important dynasties artistically are Shang (16th - 11th century B.C), Han dynasty (206 BC - AD 220), Tang dynasty (618-907), Song dynasty (960-1279), Yuan dynasty (1279-1368), Ming dynasty (1368-1644) and the last, the Qing dynasty (1644-1912).